Special congratulations to Mia Williams, principal of Aki Kurose Middle School in the Rainier Valley, for being an invited panelist and guest at the White House’s summit on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.

Principal Williams won the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence in 2013 as an outstanding secondary principal in the district, and is strong leader in closing the achievement gap for Seattle’s middle schoolers.

We are thrilled to share the news that several of the Department of Education and Early Learning’s school partners have been recognized by the State of Washington for their amazing work in improving student achievement rates. The designation as a School of Distinction signifies that the recipient ranks in the top five percent of schools in the state for raising academic achievement over five years in reading and math; high schools are recognized for their graduation rates.

Rainier Beach High Schoolhas raised its graduation rate by 25 percentage points since 2011 and graduated 79 percent of its seniors last year–up from only 54 percent in 2011. The Families and Education Levy funds the school’s health clinic.

Cleveland High Schoolis a repeat winner and has continued to make strong improvements in student graduation rates. The Families and Education Levy funds the school’s health clinic and a portfolio of student interventions.

Additionally,Hazel WolfandBroadview Thompson K-8Schools were recognized for the first time as Schools of Distinction. Both of these schools receive funding from the Families and Education Levy to implement interventions for struggling students.

Some people just aren’t good at math. It’s a message you may have heard in school, but educators in Seattle say it’s a myth that’s hurting kids’ ability to learn. Sixteen teachers are working hard to change the math mindset of hundreds of students across Seattle with the help of a Families and Education Levy-funded program called EMP, the Empowerment Math Project. EMP teaches students to be creative and collaborative in their approach to even the toughest math problems. Host Brian Callanan talks with students, parents and teachers to see how the results from this program, now in its second year, are starting to add up.

Today Mayor Ed Murray nominated Dwane Chappelle to be the first director for the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL). Chappelle has been the principal at Rainier Beach High School since 2011.

“Dwane has done a remarkable job at Rainier Beach High School, a model of success that we want to benefit all Seattle students,” said Murray. “His students leave high school better prepared for college and the 21st century workplace. Dwane’s vision and experience will be instrumental as we work together to address the opportunity gap, ensuring our education system serves all our students, regardless of their background or family income.”

Under Chappelle’s leadership and with the support of students, parents, teachers and the community, the graduation rate at Rainier Beach has increased 25 percentage points. By 2014, the graduation rate at the school reached 79 percent, exceeding the district average. The school’s International Baccalaureate program has generated widespread acclaim, challenging students to high achievement and winning praise from parents.

“I am looking forward to this incredible opportunity to serve the kids and families of Seattle,” said Chappelle. “Throughout my career as an educator, I have seen students rise to new challenges again and again. As a community, we must always send the message that every student can achieve.”

Statewide studies have shown that readiness to learn in Kindergarten varies widely and that for many students of color, those from lower-income families, and immigrant and refugee students, an opportunity gap is evident in the first few weeks of school. That opportunity gap persists through elementary and secondary schools, leading to disparities in educational attainment between students of color and their peers.

Mayor Murray announced the creation of DEEL in September of 2014. DEEL’s mission is to foster opportunities for Seattle children to succeed in school and graduate from high school prepared for continuing education and success in the workplace.

Chappelle will seek to form stronger strategic partnerships with Seattle Public Schools, institutions of higher learning and other education stakeholders throughout the region, with an eye to improving outcomes for all Seattle children.

DEEL oversees the Seattle Preschool Program that seeks to provide high-quality preschool services for young children to help improve their readiness for school, regardless of family income.

Since 1990, the City’s Families and Education Levy has grown to fund community and school-based family supports, preschool programs, academic supports, summer learning opportunities, school-based health programs and other services for students. In 2015, DEEL will administer $32 million in grants and services funded by the levy.

Prior to joining Seattle Public Schools, Chappelle was an assistant principal in Arlington, Texas and Plano, Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University and his Masters of Secondary and Higher Education at Texas A&M University.

Chappelle will start with the City on Jan. 1, 2016 with an annual salary at the level of the current interim Director: $158,688.

In the meantime, interim Director Holly Miller will stay on with DEEL.

“My thanks to Holly for her incredible work to help stand up this new department,” said Murray. “Throughout her long career with the City, Holly has provided strong leadership and deep devotion to public service.”

Chappelle’s nomination requires review and approval by the Seattle City Council.

– See more at: http://murray.seattle.gov/mayor-murray-names-rainier-beachs-dwane-chappelle-director-of-education-and-early-learning/#sthash.XzCACvTS.dpuf

Here is a link to the Press Release: http://www.seattle.gov/news/detail.asp?ID=15319&Dept=56

On Monday, September 14, ten SPP classrooms at nine sites opened to children and their families. Including grandfathered-in children, 196 children began their pioneering journey in this demonstration phase of the SPP. We are committed to providing them with a fun-filled, enriching experience that will prepare them to enter kindergarten or a second year of preschool next year.

DEEL is conducting a second round of selection of families for open Seattle Preschool Program slots. There are openings at the two new Seattle Public School sites – Original and New Van Asselt, and the Hoa Mai Vietnamese Dual Language Program. We’ll also be filling slots opened up form Round 1. Just a reminder – Applications are due to DEEL by end of the day Monday, September 7!

DEEL is currently accepting applications to enroll in the Seattle Preschool Program for classes beginning fall 2015. The second round of applications are being accepted for:

1. A Vietnamese-English dual language program at the Hoa Mai Vietnamese Bilingual Preschool in Mount Baker.

2. Two NEW Seattle Public School classrooms (located at the Old and New Van Asselt Schools) approved by the Seattle School District Board on August 19.

3. Openings made available within Round 1 assigned classrooms.

IMPORTANT! DEEL received three times as many applications as we had openings for our first round of SPP selection. Families not selected during the first round have the option of being included in the second round without needing to reapply.

Round 2 applications are due by the end of the day September 7. Parents will be notified of the selection results by September 14.

DEEL will send out notifications to families on Friday, August 21, about whether or not their children have been selected to enroll for fall 2015 Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) classes. Families will receive notification via e-mail and telephone. Please check your e-mails and voice mail on Friday.